The Week Ahead: May 15 to 21

A couple of years ago, Wilco sold out its appearance at the Fillmore, so if you haven’t bought tickets yet for tonight’s show, don’t dawdle. The band’s live shows are marathon epics that plumb generously from the group’s dense archive, dating all the way back to 1995’s “A.M.” Fan-friendly, affable and as diverse as any band in the country, Wilco formed from the ashes of alt-country pioneers Uncle Tupelo and has since forged its own alt-rock path over eight albums, each of which has its own identity. It’s worth attending this concert just to hear the transcendent shuffle of “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” again – the band will almost certainly succeed in doing so.

For all of his moral flaws, Eliot Spitzer has apparently been granted a pass in the public eye. Three years after the kind of prostitution scandal that has permanently silenced other politicos, Spitzer had the wherewithal to share his story, show regret and resurrect his ideological fire on prime-time cable news. This sensitive documentary from 2010 helped his reputation, too. Directed by the great political documentarian Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side”), “Client 9” chronicles Spitzer’s pugnacious work as a Wall Street watchdog – even if his boom-time investigations fell on deaf ears – through his mishaps with escort Ashley Dupre. The movie is chock full of fascinating information, but don’t expect a balanced portrait. Gibney is clearly on Spitzer’s side, viewing him as a media casualty – a bold crusader whom banksters were all too happy to see topple.

If this isn’t your most anticipated Broadway tour of the 2011-2012 season, then I can’t imagine what is. To put it mildly, the reputation for this 25thanniversary of Boublil and Schonberg’s long-running dramatic musical precedes it. The tale of redemption and revolution in early 19thcentury France is an event in its own right, but this tour features new staging and reimagined set designs inspired by Victor Hugo’s paintings. This dazzling gamble paid off, with critics raving that they’ve seen the best “Les Mis” yet. The statistics don’t lie: This production has played in 42 countries and been translated into 21 languages for a total of 45,000 performances worldwide. It runs through May 26.

Forgive me, dear reader, if I do not adequately describe the work of Ragnar Kjartansson, possibly the most significant artist-musician to emerge from Iceland since Bjork. This is because I haven’t seen any of his work. Kjartansson, whose very first solo American museum exhibition opens tonight in North Miami, doesn’t work in the traditional modes of visual art – he doesn’t create objects for people to take home with them. He creates experiences, regularly ambitious ones often seen by few people. Inspired by his native country’s history of sagas, poetry and oral tradition (not to mention its paucity of visual art), Kjartansson’s work will be presented as six videos. But tonight, for one night only, the artist will perform his most recent piece, “Du Holde Kunst,” live. In it, he sings the Schubert lied “An Die Musik,” accompanied by dancing showgirls, a brass quartet, a timpani and a crash cymbal. Like I said, you really have to see it to believe it.

Former NFL defensive end and linebacker Jason Taylor, a fan favorite from the Miami Dolphins, will be honored for his off-the-field contributions to South Florida at this gala, which acts as a fundraiser for the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. A Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner in 2007, Taylor launched his own foundation in 2004 to improve the lives of South Florida children. He is also, of course, an exceptional dancer, as viewers of “Dancing With the Stars” know all too well. More than 20 local celebrities in the fields of government, media and business will act as celebrity bartenders for the event, which includes vodka cocktails and wine at 6, a sit-down dinner, the awards presentation, silent and live auctions and live music.

If you haven’t heard of Lake Worth’s Take Heed Theater Company, you’re probably not alone. The group of traveling players has been nomadic for a long time, hoping to find a permanent home in Palm Beach County – perhaps at Old School Square. The six-member repertory will try the venue’s outdoor pavilion on for size in an offbeat production of Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing,” which also runs next weekend. As if speaking in Shakespearean tongue wasn’t tough enough, artistic director David Hyland upped the ante by having his six performers perform as 18 characters. Men play women and vice versa in a family-friendly romp full of rapid costume changes. Attendees are asked to bring blankets, chairs and food, and while admission is free, small donations are appreciated.

Band names this terrific don’t come along very often, so when they do, we should celebrate them. This alternative country act from San Diego has enough talent, twang, and restless energy to warrant its badass name – which was approved by Cash himself more than 15 years ago. Boasting an Americana sound that echoes classic country stars while innovating alongside modern purveyors like Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle, the Bastard Songs of Johnny Cash have released six albums, with an upcoming bluegrass release on the way.

“Voices in the Vineyard” at Magnum Lounge, 709 N.E. 79thSt., Miami; 8 p.m.; $75 for members and $85 to $100 nonmembers; 786/866-5804 or www.ccfgo.org

Part piano bar, part all-welcoming gay bar, the Moulin Rouge-style Magnum Lounge will become a one-night enclave for opera lovers at this annual benefit for Florida Grand Opera. Attendees will enjoy live opera singing, food and cocktails, and the unusual dress requires black ties and blue jeans. If you’ve never experienced the Belle Epoque charm of Magnum, this is a great opportunity to do so while supporting a South Florida cultural institution. But if you can’t make it, tune your TV to Starz: Magnum has been a location in the first season of “Magic City,” and it will return for a few more cameos on Season Two.